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What happens when commercial real estate owners ignore the fine print in their loan documents, and how can one mistake cost them everything?

In this episode, Yonah welcomes Shlomo Chopp, a seasoned expert in structured finance, real estate, and distressed asset workouts. Shlomo shares his unconventional path into commercial real estate, the importance of understanding debt structures, and the major pitfalls borrowers face in today’s high-interest environment. From his early days in flooring and software sales to managing complex loan workouts, Shlomo breaks down how structured finance operates, why many borrowers are in distress, and how his patented solutions might help reshape the future of shopping centers.

[00:01 - 07:00] From Flooring Sales to Finance

• How career pivots shaped Shlomo's real estate journey
• Why necessity led him to structured finance
• The importance of deep document knowledge in distressed assets

[07:01 - 14:00] What Structured Finance Actually Means

• What sets structured finance apart from traditional loans
• How lenders reduce risk by syndicating deals
• Why structured deals exploded pre-2008 and again recently

[14:01 - 21:00] Current Market Distress & Why It’s Happening

• Which asset classes are struggling most—and why
• How overleveraging and poor planning created problems
• Why technicalities in loan documents can trigger major consequences

[21:01 - 28:30] Innovation, Patents & Retail Reinvention

• Why Shlomo filed patents to rethink shopping centers
• How micro-fulfillment might bridge e-commerce and retail
• The significance of patience in innovation and timing

[28:31 - 34:33] Philosophy, Negotiation & Defining Success

• How he measures success beyond just profits
• Why mentorship and strategic relationships matter
• The value of reading widely to stay sharp

Connect with Shlomo:

Website: www.caseinv.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chopp

Twitter: x.com/ShlomoChopp

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Tweetable Quotes:

“There’s no such thing as passive income—only passive losses.” - Shlomo Chopp

“Structured finance isn’t just about money. It’s about aligning risks and rewards so everyone involved sees the path to getting paid.” - Shlomo Chopp

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What if your community's blighted mall could be transformed into a thriving, income-producing asset? Andy Weiner, founder of RockStep Capital, joins Yonah to share how he revitalizes struggling shopping centers by turning them into community-centered investments with strong cash flow. Drawing from over 30 years in retail and real estate, Andy explains why secondary and tertiary markets are prime for investment, how local partnerships reduce risk, and the philosophy behind his company’s culture of adaptability and integrity.

[00:01 - 06:27] From Retail Collapse to Real Estate Opportunity

• Why Walmart’s dominance led to the end of Wiener’s retail chain
• How retail operations experience became the foundation for Andy’s real estate investment approach
• The importance of understanding tenant risk in shopping center investing

[06:28 - 12:34] Investing in ‘Hometown America’

• Why RockStep focuses on secondary and tertiary markets
• The role of local business leaders as equity partners and risk reducers
• How community banks offer flexibility national lenders can’t

[12:35 - 18:22] Turning Blight into Economic Engines

• Examples from Louisiana, Kansas, and South Dakota showing how RockStep transforms communities
• How public-private coalitions help reposition underperforming malls
• Using incentives and local alignment to unlock property value

[18:23 - 25:57] The RockStep Philosophy: Culture, Values, and Direction

• The meaning behind the company name "RockStep"
• A breakdown of Andy’s 25 “Rock Steps” – internal rules of behavior
• How culture drives performance, retention, and investor trust

[25:58 - 31:00] Cash Flow, Malls, and the Future of Retail

• Why retail’s decline is overstated and where the opportunities are
• Three strategies to reposition malls for cash flow or mixed use
• RockStep’s goal to educate investors on shopping center economics

Connect with Andy:

Website: https://rockstep.com/learning-center

https://investclearly.com/sponsors/rockstep-capital

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-weiner/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

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Tweetable Quotes:

“We call it RockStep because it’s a dance move. You’ve got to be nimble. When there’s a threat or opportunity, you switch direction.” - Andy Weiner

“If we can’t get a local investor to believe in me, RockStep, and the asset, we won’t do the deal.” - Andy Weiner

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How would your financial life change if you stopped being a consumer and became the owner of your banking system? In this episode of Weiss Advice, Yonah speaks with Jim Oliver, founder of CreateTailwind and advocate of the Infinite Banking Concept. Jim shares his journey from poverty to financial independence, emphasizing the significance of controlling the banking function in your life. Through real-life examples and analogies, he explains how velocity, ownership, and mindset can radically alter your financial future. Jim also introduces the principles behind Infinite Banking and the importance of breaking away from conventional thinking about money, taxes, and legacy building.

[00:01 – 06:17] Own or Be Owned

• The importance of motion in money and why stagnation leads to loss
• The significance of financial ownership vs. consumer mentality
• The lesson Jim learned at age 13 while working in a casket factory

[06:16 – 12:38] Turning Headwinds into Tailwinds

• The idea behind "CreateTailwind" and how financial systems work against you
• How to recapture the 34.5 cents lost in interest from every dollar earned
• The concept of velocity and using your own financial system for growth

[12:39 – 18:53] Infinite Banking, Explained

• How Infinite Banking works through whole life insurance policies
• The concept of leveraging your cash value while it continues to grow
• Building assets and legacy simultaneously

[18:54 – 24:41] Breaking from the Herd

• Why more people don’t use Infinite Banking or tax-saving strategies
• The role of coaching, education, and mindset in financial success
• How ownership shifts perspective from fear to confidence

[24:42 – 30:44] Legacy, Freedom, and Ownership

• The five shifts Jim outlines in his new book Owner Shift
• Personal lessons about health, aging, and continued growth
• What success and freedom really mean

Connect with Justin:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/createtailwind182

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/createtailwind/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createtailwind

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/create_tailwind/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“If water doesn't flow, it becomes stagnant—and if money doesn't move, it dies.” - Jim Oliver

“You either pay someone else interest, or you give up the

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What if your 20-year military career prepared you more for real estate than ever imagined? Marcus Long shares how he went from the Navy to multifamily real estate syndications—carving out a life focused on impact, control, and presence. In this episode of Weiss Advice, Marcus walks through his steady evolution from buying a condo as a 22-year-old college student to retiring with a 15-property portfolio. He explains why financial freedom meant more than wealth—it meant showing up for his family. Marcus also offers insight into how service members can align long-term missions with personal purpose through real estate.

[00:01 - 07:00] From Service to Strategy

• Why a house hack turned long-term rental laid the foundation.
• The significance of managing a rental while on active duty.
• How early decisions created long-term options.

[07:01 - 14:30] Building While Deployed

• The importance of staying consistent even at a slow pace.
• Why flexibility made single-family homes the right fit early on.
• How to assess readiness for transitioning into real estate full-time.

[14:31 - 21:43] The Family Factor

• The need for control over time as a parent.
• How retirement from the Navy aligned with a personal turning point.
• What it means to be present for your kids.

[21:44 - 29:26] - Scaling Up with Purpose

• The significance of learning new strategies late in his career.
• Why collaboration through JVs and syndications appealed to him.
• How mentorship and networking played a key role.

[29:27 - 36:23] Legacy and Impact

• The importance of helping others in transition.
• How real estate became a platform for broader service.
• Why living intentionally matters more than hitting metrics

Connect with Marcus:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-long-22278391/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcus.l.long/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.long

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

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LinkedIn

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I didn't want a nine-to-five. I wanted something that gave me more control over my time so I could be present with my family.” - Marcus Long

“As I transitioned out of the military, I found that real estate gave me the ability to keep ser

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Can a developer truly succeed by focusing exclusively on local markets while others chase nationwide opportunities? In this enlightening episode, Justin Goodin, a focused multifamily developer from Indianapolis, Indiana, shares his fascinating journey from working as a multifamily underwriter at a bank to becoming a full-time developer of Class A luxury apartments. Justin shares his journey from bank underwriter to full-time developer and explains why he focuses solely on ground-up projects in Indiana. He discusses his strategic shift from syndication to development, his build-lease-sell business model, and why he puts his own capital at risk during pre-development to build investor trust.

[00:01 - 05:09] From Banking to Building: Justin's Real Estate Journey

• How education shaped his path
• Why multifamily development became his focus
• The importance of evolving your investment strategy

[05:10 - 10:46] Strategic Pivot to Development in a Competitive Market

• What drove the shift from syndication to development
• How market fundamentals support development now
• Why the build-and-sell model works better

[10:47 - 15:31] The Developer's Business Model and Market Positioning

• How the developer functions as a project orchestrator
• Why local market knowledge creates a competitive advantage
• The need for hands-on involvement

[15:32 - 20:29] Lessons Learned From Syndication Experience

• What timeline can to expect for development projects
• The significance of a focused strategy
• Why fixed-rate debt matters

[20:30 - 25:58] Building Teams and Defining Success

• How to select the right business partners
• What success truly means beyond profits
• The importance of meaningful connections

Connect with Justin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.goodin.16

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"I just think there's so much opportunity in development. I think there's just a lot less investors willing to put up that work, to learn this stuff in the beginning... to get these projects off the ground." - Justin Goodin

"If you can take interest rate risk off the table by just fixing your debt, it's just one less variable that you have t

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Is your job as secure as you think? Dr. Param Baladandapani, a hysician-turned-real-estate-investor, shares how a job merger made her realize the need for financial independence. She built a real estate portfolio that replaced her medical income in just a year and now helps other professionals do the same. In this episode, she breaks down passive investing, tax-efficient wealth-building, and strategies for achieving financial freedom without sacrificing your career.

[00:01 - 07:33] The Wake-Up Call: Realizing the Power of Passive Income

• A career shake-up exposed the risk of relying on a W-2 income
• Despite a high salary, her passive income was only $2,000/month
• Real estate became her path to financial security

[07:34 - 15:16] The Aha Moment: Real Estate vs. Stock Market Returns

• Her real estate investments outperformed the stock market 6x over
• The power of leverage and tax advantages in real estate
• How cash flow creates true financial freedom

[15:17 - 22:59] Strategies for Success: Building a Real Estate Portfolio

• Three investing approaches: passive, short-term hustle, or full-time entrepreneur
• Scaling from single-family homes to larger investments
• The shift from active investing to fully passive income

[23:00 - 31:46] Syndications and Alternative Investments for Busy Professionals

• How high-income earners can invest without managing properties
• The benefits of multifamily value-add deals
• How GW Capital provides hands-off investing opportunities

[31:47 - 37:37] Overcoming Barriers to Financial Freedom

• The biggest mindset blocks professionals face
• Why real estate isn’t as risky as many believe
• The key to taking action and accelerating wealth-building

Connect with Param:

Website: https://gwcapital.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/generationalwealthmd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/generationalwealthmd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/generationalwealthmd

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"Work smarter. The path to financial freedom isn’t about working harder—it’s about choosing the right investments and leveraging them wisely." - Dr. Param Baladandapani

"High-income professionals aren’t taught about alternative investments, but the wealthy have always invested in them. It’s time to

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Is real estate the key to financial freedom — even if you never considered it? Jeanette Friedrich never planned on entering real estate. But when faced with overwhelming financial challenges as a single mother, she discovered that real estate investing was the only realistic path to securing her family's future. Now, as the Director of Investor Relations and Marketing at Blue Lake Capital, Jeanette has played a pivotal role in helping the firm surpass $1 billion in transactions. She shares her unconventional journey into real estate, the lessons she learned about wealth-building, and the strategic moves

[00:01 - 07:35] From Skeptic to Believer: How Jeanette Found Real Estate

• Jeanette's unexpected path into real estate from a background in finance, recruiting, and nonprofits
• How a personal crisis led her to seek a flexible career
• The misconceptions she had about real estate before joining Blue Lake Capital

[07:36 - 14:57] The Moment Everything Clicked

• Navigating a career shift while managing a child’s critical illness
• Realizing that real estate is one of the few vehicles for true wealth generation
• The mindset shift from saving defensively to investing offensively

[14:58 - 21:00] Breaking Barriers as a Woman in Real Estate

• Becoming Blue Lake Capital’s first hire and growing alongside Ellie Perlman
• How Jeanette transitioned from an assistant role to Director of Investor Relations
• The power of representation: inspiring other women to take control of their finances

[21:01 - 28:49] How Blue Lake Capital is Navigating Market Shifts

• The challenges of raising capital in today’s economic climate
• Why the company is focusing on family office partnerships instead of traditional syndications
• Investing strategies: value-add vs. stabilized assets

[28:50 - 34:26] Understanding Family Offices and Building Long-Term Wealth

• What is a family office, and how does it differ from traditional real estate investors?
• The importance of long-term relationships and strategic partnerships
• How Jeanette’s investments transformed her financial future

Connect with Jeannette:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannetterobinson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluelake_capital/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I was still thinking like I was poor. I was playing defense with my money instead of playing offense.” - Jeanette Friedrich

“The demands of the challenges in front of me were huge. The only ans

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When it comes to building a thriving real estate business, is it all about transactions, or is there something deeper at play?

In this episode, George Pino, co-founder of Commercial Brokers International, discusses the power of relationships, integrity, and strategic growth in the real estate industry. George shares insights from his 30+ years in commercial real estate, including how he and his business partner built a successful firm by prioritizing their client’s best interests. He also reveals key investment lessons, the realities of different asset classes, and why retail real estate is booming despite predictions of its decline.

[00:01 - 08:22] The Foundation of a Real Estate Career

• How George entered real estate straight out of college and built his career
• The evolution from working for others to launching his own company
• Lessons learned from early experiences in the industry

[08:23 - 16:45] Building a Client-Centered Brokerage

• How Commercial Brokers International (CBI) was founded
• The importance of company culture and treating agents as valued partners
• Why relationships matter more than just making deals

[16:46 - 24:33] The Evolution of Retail Real Estate

• The misconception about the “retail apocalypse” and why retail is thriving
• How experiential retail and strategic investments are shaping the industry
• The impact of changing labor costs and regulations on real estate trends

[24:34 - 32:43] Investment Lessons: Multifamily vs. Retail

• George’s experience investing in multifamily properties and the challenges of rent control
• Why he pivoted to single-tenant net lease properties for better long-term stability
• The advantages of corporate-backed leases in commercial real estate

[32:44 - 40:49] Problem-Solving Through Real Estate

• How restructuring a real estate investment doubled a client’s income
• The role of mentorship and integrity in business growth
• The importance of being a trusted advisor rather than just a salesperson

Connect with George:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-pino-stnl-nnn-investment-sales-leasing/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpinocbicommercial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.pino.75

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

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Exclusive Facebook Group

www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I don’t believe in selling just to sell. My job is to make sure my clients make the right decisions—even if that means talking them out of a deal.” - George Pino

“Commercial real estate is a people b

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